Jamie: PearFiction Studios has introduced some truly unique mechanics like Loot Collect™, LockNWin™ UpZones™, and LockNWin™ TopGraderz™. Can you explain how these features work and what inspired their development?
Janine: At PearFiction Studios, everything begins with a simple question: “How can we make this game more engaging for the player?”. That mindset is the foundation for all our mechanic design choices.
Loot Collect™ was born from a desire to bring more action to the base game. Rather than just spinning and waiting for a bonus, players may trigger instant cash collections mid-spin, with potential modifiers that Boost, Multiple, or Improve and elevate the experience.
With LockNWin™ Upzones™, we wanted to evolve the traditional hold-and-win mechanic by introducing a sense of momentum. The reel area expands as symbols are collected, unlocking new features and new possibilities with each spin.
With TopGraderz™, we introduced a feature where new symbols not only enhance gameplay but may also upgrade the lowest-value symbols on the grid; creating opportunities for improved outcomes as the round develops.
Each of these mechanics is designed to feel dynamic and full of personality, just like our games.
Jamie: How important is music and audio design in your slot games? Do you feel this element is often overlooked in the industry?
Janine: The music and audio experience is absolutely vital, it’s the emotional undercurrent of every game. At PearFiction Studios we treat sound with the same precision and care as we do art or math modeling. It’s never an afterthought.
Our sound prodigy, Jean-Pierre Larouche, brings a distinctive voice to every title, composing original soundtracks that range from jazz to punk, and that gives our games a rich and unexpected sonic identity.
Whether it’s the pulse of a bonus round or a quirky character animation, the right audio can completely elevate a moment. Sound is also used to help players understand the elements of the game. The layered effects and clever cues guide them through what’s happening on the screen. It’s one of the most powerful ways we can build character and satisfaction all at once.
Players may not always be able to articulate it, but we believe they feel the difference. Sound plays a key role in making a game truly immersive.
Jamie: Where do you draw inspiration from when creating your slot themes and features?
Janine: Inspiration is a team sport at PearFiction Studios. It can come from anywhere: a vintage comic book, a Cult-Classic film genre, a random anecdote shared in the studio kitchen or one of Thierry’s wildly farfetched ideas that somehow always end up working.
Thierry Semoff, PearFiction’s Founder and CEO, usually is the spark behind the original ideas, his mind is constantly overflowing with ideas for themes, characters and game worlds. It’s almost impossible to keep up with him!
However, it is very much a collaborative effort, and once an idea takes root everyone jumps in to build and shape it.
We gravitate toward themes that allow for playful storytelling and a strong visual identity, like Granny vs Zombies™, Bunny Loot™ or Squealin’ Riches ™. From there we design mechanics that feel authentic to the world we’re building.
Our art, animation, and design teams work closely to make sure everything feels cohesive, character-driven, and a little unexpected. That’s the PearFiction way: quirky, polished, and full of personality.
Jamie: Different markets have different tastes – how do you adapt your games to cater to a global audience while maintaining your studio’s signature style?
Janine: Working within the Games Global network gives us access to robust data and insights, which helps us tailor certain aspects of our games.
That said, our visual identity and tone remain consistent.
We’ve built a reputation for bright, humorous, high-quality games, and that DNA remains at the core of everything we do.
At the same time, we make deliberate, thoughtful design choices behind the scenes to ensure our games resonate across different markets, without ever compromising what makes them distinctly PearFiction.
Jamie: PearFiction Studios is clearly on a creative roll – can you give us a sneak peek into what the future holds for the studio?
Janine: The future’s looking bright and full of surprises. We’re continually exploring fresh ideas and new titles. Our focus is always on pushing creativity, while staying grounded in what players love.
We’ve also got a few exciting releases in the pipeline, including another installment in the Alpha Gods series, Anubis ™, Treasures of Mjolnir™, and Captain Skull & The Squidly Seas ™, which has recently launched on the 22nd of July.
Beyond that, you’ll see us playing with new themes, art styles, and feature combinations, all while keeping that quirky, high-polish identity players have come to expect from PearFiction Studio.
